Nick's Crazy Starcraft Story
From BluWiki
This is a Story I wrote for english last year. All VGOC members, please read. Try and find all of the interesting references.
Starcraft: The Cerebrate By:Nick Spooner
I shot the Zergling with four more three-round bursts from my gauss rifle. It finally collapsed in a heap next to it's fallen brethren, and laid still. Finally my squad and I could rest for a while, before we were forced to fight anymore.
The year is 2245. I'm Nick...but my squad mates call me Spoons. We are Marines in the 512th Infantry Core on Ashen. The planet is infested with a number of alien life forms that seem to have no limit. The most prominent of these were the Zerg-- a vile horde of monstrosities who appeared to have nothing on their mind but to destroy life.
We, like all the other Terrans (formerly known as Homo Sapiens Sapiens, or "humans") were in the middle of an intergalatic war with them. Although the Zerg race had only been discovered some 50 years ago, they already threatened the very existence of the Terran race. They also appeared to be the only other rae capable of Galactic travel. The Zerglings we had just defeated were a part of the race-- one of the lowest on the caste.
My squad mates and I had been through a lot together. We went through Marine training in the same Barracks, and had known each other for years.
Natedog was the Co-commander of the squad. He had had lots of experience in leading groups, so I often let him make the decisions. Sometimes he became brash and did not consider the downsides of certain tactics of his, which would be when I would take over, but for the most part he knew what he was doing.
Ginger was a spry young red haired boy from Alpha Colony 1. He was the youngest of my squad by at least a year, but you wouldn't be able to tell it from his actions. He was seemed calm on the surface, but even the slightest insult or hit could send him into a rage.
Canjin was a very mysterious person. No one could truly tell his motives, and we knew very little about him. None the less, when he did speak, he astounded us with his wisdom. This, and his very exotic combat styles made him an asset to the squad.
JarJar was the light hearted one of the group. He could always lighten the mood in a situation with his witty humor or inappropriate remarks. His marksmanship was not the best, but he made up for it with his berserk fighting style.
Hopebot was the Tech guy in the group. Any time we came across something that needed to be hacked or repaired, he was the guy for the job. We relied on him a lot to keep our combat suits and weapons running. In addition, his combat skills are exceptional as well.
Pedo and Zhane were the two I knew the best. We had been friends even before we had joined the Marine academy. We had gone to school together back on Earth, and had joined the Marines together, and had made a pact to watch each other's backs. We performed well enough to be placed in the same squad.
Pedo was an odd one. to those who did not know him, he seemed almost completely incompetent, which was only partially true. Like JarJar, he provided much entertainment for the squad, but he did not do this on purpose, as he had a few social issues. Nonetheless, he was the best marksmen in the group by far; He could hit a Hydralisk in the head from 200m away 7 times over.
Zhane was...different. He didn't really excel in any particular area, but he wasn't poor either. Despite this, He would always stop to help a fallen comrade, And I trusted him more then anyone else.
Together, the eight of us formed the GPY squad...one of 12 in the 512th Marine Infantry division, which in turn was one in hundreds of divisions spread out across all of space. We were just nameless soldiers, just like any soldiers in any war. There was nothing exceptional about us. Except today, we were given a very important mission to complete.
We were to destroy a Zerg Cerebrate; One of the few members of the Zerg race that was able to make intelligent and strategic decisions. There were a number of them among the Zerg race, and they seemed to be the "brains of the outfit" so to speak. Doing this would have a very good chance of crippling the Zerg forces in this quadrant, and was the most important mission we had been given so far.
Our newly built bunker was stationed above a large canyon. Within it was The Zerg Cerebrate, surrounded by a massive horde of Zerg. We had been stationed here for nearly 6 hours. We weren't short on ammunition or rations, but boredom was beginning to take it's toll on us.
The sounds of battle were constant; guns blaring, people shouting, explosions rippling the air. We knew battles were raging, and it was hard just to sit and do nothing, but we had our orders. The ground was covered in ash and debris. The sky was a deep red, which was an unfortunately familiar colour. It was dotted with massive dark clouds that did not mean rain.
JarJar's jokes were only entertaining for so long, and shooting corpses was not too entertaining. The only action we get was the few random Zerglings and the odd hydralisk that strayed too far from the horde, or were sent to scout. We were hoping to make our move soon, and our prayers wouldn't go unanswered for long.
"Corporal Spoons, do you copy? This is Colonel Li Tong." a static muffled voice asked over the intercom. It startled all of us, and got our immediate attention.
"Sir, I hear you loud and clear, sir!" I responded. It was my superior officer, Colonel Li.
He knew well of the Colonel, and his many great victories. He had been one of the first to get a clean, decisive victory over the Zerg in any area, and was experienced beyond words. His tactics, strategies, and successes were known throughtout the Terran Commonwealth. He always seemed to know what was happening, even without any clear evidence. It was often rumored he had a "magical" quality. Spoons' squad could not ask for a better commander for this mission.
"Corporal, I know this may seem rushed, but you are to move out very soon. Your squad and the other Marines in the area are going to directly assault the Cerebrate. You will be accompanied by a number of our forces. Firebats, Siege Tanks, Goliath Battlewalkers, Wraiths, and a few Battlecruisers will be with you."
"I can hear the Battlecruisers already..." said Ginger, in a rather loud voice. A quick smack upside the head by Natedog silenced him quickly.
"As I was saying, you and the rest of the Marines are to eliminate anything that opposes you in your assault. Protect the siege weaponry at all costs, and leave the Cerebrate to them. Meet up with the rest of the Marines in 15, or you'll be left behind. Over and out!" Said the Colonel, followed by only static on the intercom.
"Great, we get to be meat shields again! Fuck this shit!" said JarJar in a very irritated tone.
"Ahh... It's only a few hundred Zerg creatures. This shouldn't be too hard." said Canjin in a very controlled voice. He never seemed to be nervous or afraid of anything. This was remarkably calming, yet very eerie.
"Well, uh, basically, I don't care if we are suppose to guard the siege weapons, I'm going to take some shots at the Cerebrate. I bet I can hit the fuck up right in the eye. Anyone want to bet I can't?" Pedo said with a strong hint of egotism. Ginger, Natedog, and Hopebot all raised their hands to the challenge, while Zhane began to argue with Pedo on whether or not the Cerebrate even had eyes; None of us had ever seen one before.
"Well Pedo, looks like you just lost a bet, because we are all going to follow the orders we were given. Is that understood?" I asked Pedo in a very commanding tone. He let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Sir, yes, sir." He replied. We were all itching to get a crack at the Cerebrate, this I understood. But we could not compromise the entire mission for our personal wants.
"We had better get going... If we get left behind, we'll be dog meat." Said Hopebot. He was entirely right. If we were left here, any Zerg forces would rip us to shreds.
When we got outside, we found the rest of the Marines easily. They were all gathered near a natural incline in the cliff wall, leading down to the Zerg gathering. They were all talking about the battle to come, I thought. None of them had ever done something this big either.
Most of the reinforcements had already arrived. the Vehicles had set up a quick perimeter, and the Firebats had started chatting with old Marine friends. above, we saw the massive Battle cruisers, hovering ominously. Groups of 4 Wraiths were flying among them, to protect them from possible attacks by Scourges; Little flying Zerg creatures that exploded on impact with our ships. Luckily, they could not attack those of us on the ground, but I had seen a few of them devastated a Battlecruiser before. It isn't a pretty sight.
I recognized a few of the Marines from missions we had been on before. My squad had begun socializing with them already. Other Marines, however, had the look of fear in their eyes. I could tell they were new, and that this was their first real battle. I had looked the same way when I first started out; eager to fight, but terrified as well. They will get used to the fighting, I told myself. If they didn't they would not survive.
Faster then expected, we all received the word of command from Li on our communications receivers.
"We will commence the assault on the Cerebrate immediately. It is approximately 4 miles within the Canyon, and it will take a bit of a walk for you to get to it. Simply go straight ahead. We will proceed in standard formation; Firebats and Marines up front, Siege Tanks in the back, and Goliaths covering all areas. The Wraiths and Battlecruisers will provide you with air support. Move out soldiers, and remember the plan. Have fun." The Com snapped off. Everyone hated the "Have fun" that always came at the end of a mission briefing. It was an attempt to make it seem less serious. But we all knew that it was war, and people would fight and die. It was no game.
We got into out formation and began to advance into the anyon. We confronted very little opposition on this initial advance and suffered no casualties. This lifted the spirits of the new Marines, but the veterans knew it would only get worse... far worse. We continued down the ramp until we reached the bottom of the canyon. On the ground we saw an all-too-familiar purple ooze. Some of the new guys were fascinated by it, some were afraid, but we all knew what it was. It was Creep.
Unlike us, the buildings and structures that the Zerg created were all alive. Every single one spawned from a crature no bigger than a German Shepherd. And in order for these structures to survive, they need nourishment. This nourishment comes from Creep. So we knew that finding it meant that Zerg buildings were near by.
Instead of advancing further, we stood where we were, and Let the Siege Tanks move closer to the front. when they got there, they began one of their most amazing feats. Each of them began to transform. Four leg-like "feet" extended from each side and planted firmly to the ground. The weapons twin turrets lowered into a hatch, and a titanic cannon emerged from the top. All of them slowly wheeled around to face inwards towards the canyon. for over 10 seconds there was nothing but silence. This was our warning to brace ourselves.
Then instantly, like a crack of thunder, all of the turrets fired. The let loose a bombardment of shells a mile into the canyon. Some of the new Marines fell over from surprise and shock. We helped them back up, and awaited the satisfying *squish* that Zerg buildings made when they were hit. Sadly, this satisfaction would only be short lived. We knew that when the Zerg's structures were attacked, they always retaliated.
"Here they come..." said someone in my squad...I think it was Ginger; I hadn't the concern to look. We all lowered our rifles parallel with the canyon floor. The rest of the Marines did the same. Firebats moved to the front and raised their arms. Goliaths were behind us. The Tanks returned to their original form, and the Wraiths and Battlecruisers awaited their orders.
We heard them before we saw them. The gnashing of jaws, the squeaks and squeals they always made, and the stomping of their feet. The noises got louder and louder. I looked over my shoulder. So many Marines and even some Firebats were shaking, and could barely keep their weapons straight. I knew their fear, I felt it as well. But I could not show it; I had to set an example.
"Let's get it on!" I yelled into my com. to the rest of the soldiers. I hard many shouts and yells in agreement.
Then we saw them. hundreds of the small, raptor like Zerglings and many of the tall, acid spitting Hydralisks. We began to pour fire into the oncoming horde. Cones of bullets, shells, and flame met the enemy head on. The ships above began firing laser into the enemy as well. dozens fell, but they kept on coming. Flying creatures--I'm not sure what-- began to engage the Wraiths in dogfights above. The sounds of battle were almost deafening. After the first wave of ground enemies were finished, we knew what we had to do.
"Charge!!!" I heard someone yell into the com. And we all did. All of us ran forward as fast as we could into the fray. We were met with more of the enemy. Some of the marines fell, being mauled by the Zerglings and hit with sprays of metal and flesh eating acid. I wanted to help, but I knew their squads would have to take care of them. Mine kept it's formation, and continued the advance.
And then we saw it. The biggest creature we had ever seen. It was nearly 100 meters in length, 15 meters tall, and 15 meters wide. It reminded me of the Brain Bug in the prehistoric Sci-Fi film, Starship Troopers We immediately understood why Siege weaponry was going to be needed. Not even Pedo seized the moment to fire upon it.
The Siege Tanks and Battlecruisers began their attack on the thing. The rest of us continued our battle with the Zerg. It never ceased, and even more men fell in battle.
Then I saw him. Someone I had known since Earth schooling. His name was Raza Shah, or RazzTazz as we called him. He had fallen under a Zergling's attack. and his suit was being ripped at with it's claws. I yelled and charged at it, with my gun firing the entire time. The creature fell of of RazzTazz in a crumpled heap.
When I reached him, I knew it was too late. The Zergling had gotten into his suit, and had attacked some of his vital organs. I knew it was too late for him, but I tried to comfort him in his final minutes.
"Spoons?" RazzTazz said, his voice raspy and difficult to hear.
"Yeah, RazzTazz? What do you need?" I asked in the calmest voice I could muster.
"You're black!" He said, the loudest that he could. He laughed a dry laugh, and then he laid silent. He had used to say it to me all the time back when we knew each other on earth. To anyone else,it wouldn't have met anything, but to me, in that moment, it meant everything. I left his body where it lay, knowing that there was no time for mourning.
I turned around just in time to see the most spectacular sight I had ever seen. The Cerebrate was being hit with so much fire I could barely see it. I final hit from a shell of the siege cannon silenced it forever, as the massive beast collapsed on it's side. Everyone began to cheer, including my squad.
It's over, I thought to myself. Finally, We are done. Even as I told myself this, I felt an uneasiness. I felt like as hard as the battle had been, it was still too easy.
As soon as that though crossed my mind, Colonel Li's voice came in over my intercom. It was on Areanet, so he was speaking to everyone.
"Boys and girls, good work. I am proud of all of you, but I regret to inform you of something. That beast you just killed...It was not the Cerebrate we are after...It is only one of it's children."
All of the cheering ceased immediately... Every single one of us realized how big this war actually is. What we thought had been our biggest fight yet, turned out to be little more then childs play. It was then that we learned that this was only the beginning.
